Supporting means



Aug. 8, 1939. E PRESTON I 2,169,125

SUPPORTING ANS Filed Feb. 10, 1938 lGfiZ 34-u 1 |mmnmnun 3 fl da ar'dj'fwiom JIWUZnZZr Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORTING MEANS Application February 10, 1938, Serial No. 189,716'

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to a mounting means which may be used to support devices of various types, but which is particularly useful for mounting and supporting electrical applirr ances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a. new and improved mounting means or supporting base having supporting foot portions which are simple and structurally strong, as well as inexpensive to provide, and which present an improved and attractive appearance.

The present invention comprehends, more specifically, a supporting base means having supporting members which extend into the base member for connection therewith, and which are provided with transversely extended flanges adapted to position the base above the floor and to provide spaced foot portions therefor.

A It is a further object of the present invention 20' to provide a supporting base means, as above, in which the supporting foot means is firmly secured to the base portion by engaging in an enclosure comprising a flange formed by a conguration of the base member.

25' Among the other objects of the invention are to provide a construction, as above, in which the supporting foot member is firmly engaged over a relatively considerable area by the enclosing portion of the base to provide a firm interconnection, i-uVbut wherein the parts may be readily assembled by forcing the foot member into the said enclosing space; to provide an insert adapted to be engaged in an aperture formed by the edges of flangeswhich extend in angular separated in- 35 tersecting lines in order to provide a supporting foot and a juncture of finished and pleasing appearance, free from unsightly edges or seams; and to provide an improved means, as above,

wherein a supporting foot member is secured to dl'la supporting base through the agency of means comprising a pair of transversely extending flanges oppositely engaging the supporting foot member.

Numerous other objects and advantages will 4:, be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is an elevational View showing a device constructed in accordance with. the present in 51) vention;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevational view taken from the side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

65 Fig. Lisa perspective View showing the corner construction of the supporting base member with the parts in relatively disassembled relationship;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken through the corner portion of a modified form. of the present invention; 5'

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 66 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a. perspective view of the foot member shown in the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring to the figures of the drawing where- 10 in like numerals refer to corresponding parts, it Will be seen that Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, disclose a preferred form of device embodying the principles of the present invention. This structure comprises an electrical appliance indicated generally by the numeral H] which, in the present case, is a waflie iron of known make and construction and which is mounted rigidly upon the supporting base member indicated generally by the numeral I2. The supporting base is formed of flat, sheet material having an upper surface M which is embossed or raised slightly adjacent the central portion as at l6 for interconnection to the waffle iron II] by means of bolts (not shown).

The forward edge of the sheet base member I2 is flanged downwardly at I8, as viewed in Fig. 1, the rearward edge being preferably identically configurated. The resulting flange, accordingly, provides a vertically flat wall (Fig. 4). The side edge-s of the sheet member, forming the base l2, are rolled downwardly and reversely inv a cylindrical curve 29 to, in effect, create a. longitudinally extending bead, or at least partial enclosure at the sides of the supporting member. The adjacent edge 22 of the flange I8 is curved in. substantial continuation of the cylindrical curve hereinbefore mentioned. Accordingly, it will be apparent that the curved edge of the flange 22") and the adjacent curved edge of the flange 22, in effect, create an aperture, or at least a partial enclosure of substantially cylindrical form.

The foot portions of the base member, indicated generally by the reference numeral 24, comprise a cylindrical body portion 26 adapted to mate with and engage in the cylindrical aperture formed by the two flanges, as hereinbefore described. In assembled relationship, as shown in Fig. 2, the body portion 26 resides within this aperture and within the at least partial enclosure formed by the curved flange 20. The portion of the supporting foot member extending outwardly from the enclosure is of relatively increased diameter, extending radially outwardly from the body portion 26 to provide an annular flange 28.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that this annular flange is of suflicient radial extent to project downwardly beyond the lowermost portion of the flange 20 whereby to provide a supporting member or foot portion for the assembly at each corner thereof. Attention is further directed to the fact that the body portion 26 of the foot members extends longitudinally in the same direction as the flange 20 which accordingly engages therewith over a relatively considerable area for the purpose of rigidly securing the members in the positions shown against inadvertent withdrawal.

The edge 22 of the flange l8, abutting against the opposite side of the body member 26, assists in additionally maintaining this engagement. It will be obvious from this disclosure that this arrangement provides a means whereby the foot members may be firmly and rigidly engaged while at the same time facilitating ready assembly of the parts.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that the diameter of the body portion 26 be sufficiently great to require that it be applied to the aperture under some force during assembly. In other words, the parts may be so proportioned as to provide a socalled forced fit. However, under no normal circumstances can the force required become excessive since the flange 20, being free at one edge, provides a resilient engagement or enclosing member which, under all positions of service, tend to clamp the supporting foot members with a yieldable, resilient pressure and retain them against withdrawal.

It has been found desirable, in accordance with the present invention, to provide supporting foot members 24 comprising some readily workable material, such as wood or a plastic substance to which decorative or utilitarian adjuncts may be attached. In Figs. 1, 2, and 4 there is disclosed a convex member 30 having a sharpened spike 32 projecting therefrom and residing axially of the member 24. The convex portion 30 provides a finished appearance to the outer face of the supporting foot member and may be driven into place either before or after the supporting foot member 24 is operatively assembled with respect to the sheet base member.

Generally cylindrical handle members 34, having an arcuately inset face adapted to register with the curve of the flange 20, shown in Fig. 3, are secured thereto by means of fasteners 36.

A preferred modified embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in Figs. 5 to '7, and comprises a member 24 substantially as hereinbefore described, the body portion 26 of which, however, is interrupted by an annular groove or depression 38, as shown more clearly in Fig. '7. The curved flange 20 is provided with an indentation 40, struck inwardly just above the groove 38 a sufficient distance to engage therein and to more effectively retain the parts against disassembly. The inwardly struck or indented portions 40 may be provided upon the flange 20 either before or after assembly of the supporting foot members within the flange. If assem bled in the former manner, it will be obvious that the indentation may be so shaped as to completely prevent withdrawal. On the other hand, by providing a curved configuration of the interior surface of the indention 4|], the insert may be, nevertheless, forced into the position shown during assembly, the flange Z0 possessing suflicient resiliency to permit passage of the body portion 26 until the indentation 4U coincides with the groove 38. The portion 28, as in the aforementioned embodiment, extends substantially beyond the outer surfaces of the flange 20 whereby to function as a supporting foot as well as a means for providing a finished appearance to the juncture between the intersecting flanges.

It is thought that the present invention provides a simple and effective means for providing supporting foot portions to supporting members in general, which may be readily manufactured and assembled without resort to costly forming or fashioning operations. The present invention also provides not only an improved means for providing pleasing edge portions for an article of the present class which have a finished appearance, but in addition, enables the juncture of intersecting sheet metal flanges without the necessity for unsightly edges or seams.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In an electrical appliance, a supporting base member, a horizontally extending aperture in the base member, a horizontally extending member engaged in the aperture, said horizontally extending member having a transversely extending flange projecting from the surface thereof, said flange extending downwardly and providing a foot portion for the base member.

2. A supporting base for an article of manufacture comprising a base member having a downwardly extending portion, an aperture in said downwardly extending portion, a foot member having a body portion extending substantially horizontally through said aperture and engaged rigidly therein, said body portion extending from said aperture and having a flange projecting from the surface thereof and extending from the base member to provide a foot portion for supporting the assembly.

3. A supporting base for an article of manufacture comprising a base member of sheet material, a downwardly extending flange formed on said sheet member, said flange providing a generally horizontally facing aperture, a foot member having a body portion extending generally horizontally through said aperture and engaged rigidly therein, said body portion extending from said aperture and having a flange projecting from the surface thereof and extending below the base member to provide a foot portion for the assembly.

4. A supporting means for an article of manufacture comprising a sheet base member, one edge of said sheet base member being folded over to provide a flange forming a longitudinally ex tending, generally horizontal enclosure, a foot member having a generally horizontally extending body portion, said body portion residing within the enclosure and with the enclosing flange engaging firmly ther-eabout for rigid support thereof, a portion of the foot member being provided with a transversely extending flange, extending downwardly and providing a supporting foot for the assembly.

5. A supporting means for an article of manufacture comprising a base member formed of sheet material, one edge of said sheet material being rolled over to provide a curved flange forming a longitudinally extending, generally horizontal enclosure having a sectional configuration comprising a portion at least of a cylinder, a foot member having a generally horizontally extending cylindrical body portion, said body portion residing within the enclosure with the enclosing flange engaging forcefully thereabout for rigid support thereof, a part of the body portion ex tending out of the enclosure and being provided with a transversely extending, radially project- 1, ing annular flange, said flange extending downwardly and providing a supporting foot for the assembly.

6. A supporting means for an article of manufacture comprising a sheet base member, an edge of the sheet base member being flanged to provide at least a partial enclosure extending substantially adjacent said edge, a second flange extending adjacent a further edge of the base member, said flange extending in a direction angularly displaced with respect tosaid first named flange, said flanges being spaced to provide an aperture between the inner side of the first named flange and the adjacent edge of the second flange, a supporting member extending into the said aperture and having portions engaged by said inner side and said adjacent edge for connection to the base member, said supporting member having a laterally extending portion externally of the aperture adapted to act as a supporting foot.

7. A supporting means for an article of manufacture comprising a base member formed of sheet material, an edge of the sheet base member being rolled over in reversely extending relationship to provide at least a partial enclosure, a second edge of the base member being formed to provide a flange angularly displaced with respect to the first named flange, the two flanges extending in generally intersecting lines, an insert member having a generally cylindrical body portion residing adjacent the inner surface of said enclosing flange, the edge of said second named flange being curved and oppositely engaging the said insert member for positioning the member with respect to the base, said insert member having a portion projecting exteriorly of the aperture and an annular flange extending radially from the periphery thereof.

8. A supporting means for an article of manufacture comprising a base member of sheet material, said base member, adjacent one edge, comprising a laterally projecting flange, said flange providing at least a partial enclosure extending substantially along said edge, a second edge of the base member being formed to provide a second flange extending in a direction angularly displaced from said first named flange, said flanges being spaced to provide an aperture between the inner side of said first named flange and an end of the other flange, an insert member extending into said aperture and having a longitudinally extending body portion oppositely engaged by said enclosing flange and by the adjacent edge of the second named flange member for positioning the insert with respect thereto.

9. A supporting means for an article of manufacture comprising a base member of sheet material, said base member, adjacent one edge, being flanged to provide at least a partial enclosure, a second edge of the base member being formed to provide a second flange angularly displaced from said first named flange, said flanges being spaced to provide an aperture between the ends thereof, an insert member extending into said aperture and having a longitudinally extending body portion extending generally parallel to said first named enclosing flange and engaged thereby, a depression formed in the surface of said body portion, and a portion struck inwardly from the flange and extending into said depression to lock the members in assembled relationship.

10. A supporting means for an article of manufacture comprising a base member of sheet material, said base member, adjacent one edge, being flanged to provide at least a partial enclosure, a second edge of the base member being formed to provide a second flange angularly displaced from said first named flange, said flanges being spaced to provide an aperture between the ends thereof, an insert member extending into said aperture and having a longitudinally extending body portion extending generally parallel to said first named enclosing flange and engaged thereby and by the adjacent edge of the second named flange member for positioning the insert with respect thereto, said insert having a portion extending exteriorly of the aperture, and means attached to said exterior portion, said attached means being fixed thereto by a sharpened projection.

11. In an appliance base, a sheet metal base element of rectangular shape, hooked flanges extending along two opposite sides thereof throughout the length of said sides, supporting elements at the other sides of said base element, and means projecting from said supporting elements and into said hooked flanges to support said base element relative to a table top or the like, with the bottom edges of said flanges spaced therefrom.

EDWARD S. PRESTON. 

